City considering source separated organics program

The City of Kawartha Lakes is looking into developing a way to divert organic materials out of municipal landfill sites.

A motion to amend the recommendation in the Proposed Organic Diversion Program report – prepared by David Kerr, manager of environmental services – was carried at the March 5 committee of the whole meeting. The new motion was that the report be received, that staff review, evaluate and report to Council on the effectiveness of the program and provide recommendations for future program rollout and improvements, and that the recommendations be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next regular council meeting.

To that end, staff were instructed to tender an RFP (request for proposal) for a source separated organics (SSO) program for the urban areas in Kawartha Lakes. The RFP will request a quote for the program rolling out to Lindsay in January 2025, and it will include provisional items for quotes to determine the feasibility of rolling the program out in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls and Omemee at the same time.

Once the quotes are received and total cost is determined, Council will decide whether they want to roll the program out to Lindsay first and then the other three urban areas (Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, and Omemee), or if they want to launch the program in all four urban areas at the same time.

The full report can be read here.

More updates from the Committee of the Whole

• Update to roads five year plan: A motion was brought forward to establish a task force consisting of four Council members to work with staff to review and make recommendations on the municipality’s road programs and Council processes moving forward by the end of September 2024. The motion was carried.
• Littering at public water access on Frank Hill Road: A motion was brought forward that staff provide litter waste signage, waste receptacles, weekly waste pick-up and enhanced seasonal communications for the public water access on Frank Hill Road in the township of Emily. The motion was carried.
• Deputation regarding high-water bill: A motion was brought forward to have staff investigate the high-water bill brought forward in a deputation at the March 5 committee of the whole meeting. Staff were instructed to provide further information to Council at the next meeting. The motion was carried.
• Encroachment adjacent to 106 Bond Street West, Fenelon Falls: A motion was brought forward to continue to have an open dialogue with the resident looking to purchase the land and allow him to have more time to complete surveys and discussions with the municipality with staff returning with the results by June 2024. The motion was carried.
• ATV pilot program summary: Staff were directed to amend By-law 2019-077 to include the road routes from the pilot program identified in Appendix B resulting from By-law 2022-032 on a permanent basis, was brought forward and it passed. The ATV pilot program is now permanent. For more details, view the ATV pilot program summary report.
• Drainage near 149 Fenelon Drive: A motion was brought forward to direct staff to report on the requirements for an additional drain at the walkway on Cameron Drive in Southview Estates and report back to Council by June 2024. The motion was carried. For more details, view the Drainage near 149 Fenelon Drive report.
• 40km/h sign for Princes’ Street West in Fenelon Falls: A motion was brought forward to replace the sign and the motion was carried.